The study analyzed data of adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1988 to 1994, and from 1999 to 2004. The researchers determined ideal nutritional targets in nine areas (fat, saturated fat, protein, cholesterol, fiber, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium) that used the DASH diet as a guideline and then looked at how closely those with hypertension were to the targets.

What they found was that in the 1988 to 1994 group, 26.7 percent of those with hypertension were following an appropriate diet. But in the 1999 to 2004 group the number dropped to 19.4 percent.

The DASH diet (which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) has been recommended for controlling high blood pressure since 1997 along with other lifestyle changes like losing weight. The DASH diet is hardly special or exotic — it emphasizes whole grains, fresh produce, lean meats, and is low in salt and fat.

In 2005, $60 billion in health care spending was attributed to high blood pressure in this country. That’s a high price to pay for a disease whose prescription includes fruits and vegetables.